Quiet on the surface, busy underneath — that’s life behind the scenes at Fishing for Schools

Whilst our sessions and school delivery slow down over the winter period, the work behind Fishing for Schools is anything but quiet.

We are preparing for an exciting year ahead, with close to 40 schools taking part in Fishing for Schools. From Bolton and Clacton to Eltham and beyond, our team will be working with specialist SEN schools, primary and secondary schools, and alternative provisions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We are especially pleased to be welcoming sixteen schools to the programme for the first time.

These quieter months are when the real planning takes place. Our coaching team is busy coordinating with schools, shaping session plans, checking and preparing equipment and making sure every visit is ready to deliver the best possible experience for pupils. It is careful preparation that allows each session to run safely, smoothly and with real impact once we return to the classroom and the bankside.

Fishing for Schools is not just about learning to fish.

It gives young people time outdoors, space away from busy and demanding school days, and the chance to experience the countryside – sometimes for the very first time. Through hands-on sessions, pupils build patience, teamwork and resilience. Small successes help grow confidence, curiosity and pride in what they can achieve.

For the schools we work with year after year, this ongoing relationship means we can support pupils who face real barriers to learning, and help them re-engage through practical, positive experiences.

As we look ahead, we are encouraged by the difference we make to the young people who taking part in Fishing for Schools. With the addition of our new Angling and the Countryside qualification and its pilot phase, the year ahead looks set to be a busy and rewarding one.

We’re looking forward to getting back into schools and back to the bankside.